Section 71 of the Roads Act, 1933 prohibits unauthorised signs on public roads and empowers road authorities and the Garda to remove them. It also prohibits, and provides for the removal of, caravans, vehicles, etc. which are used for the purpose of advertising, for the sale of goods or the provision of services, on public roads.
Subject to certain exemptions, all vehicles used in a public place are subject to the normal range of traffic and parking regulations under the Road Traffic Acts, 1961-1994. There is also a specific provision in the 1961 Act containing a prohibition on acts which cause, or are likely to cause, obstruction of traffic.
Under section 21 of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1992 and the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations, 1992, a motor trader may, on certain conditions, obtain a trade licence from the local licensing authority on payment of the appropriate excise duty. Under a trade licence-plate, a vehicle may be used in a public place for a wide range of purposes, including demonstration for the benefit of a prospective purchaser.
